Don't Fall for It: Why Display Rack Gift Cards Are a Scammer's Favorite Tool

Scammers increasingly target gift card displays, exploiting their popularity as presents, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting $148 million lost to scams in 2021.

• In 2021, the Federal Trade Commission documented gift card scams as the leading payment method for fraud, resulting in $148 million stolen from unsuspecting consumers.
• Scammers often use a confidence trick by posing as authority figures to pressure victims into purchasing gift card codes from retailers like Amazon (company), Google Play, and Apple Inc.
• The prevalence of gift card scams has led to increased consumer awareness, with many now recognizing the risks associated with purchasing popular cards from display racks.